Pneumatic-tube system.



Patented Oct. 22, I901.

J. H. DALE. PNEUMATIC TUBE SYSTEM.

(Appliqnigion filed. Dec. 27, 1900.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN H. DALE, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

PNEUMATIC-TUBE SYSTEM.

$PECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 685,202, dated October22, 1901. Application filed December 27,1900. Elerial No; 41,278. (Nomodel.) v

T0 on whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN H. DALE, a citizen of the United Statesfresiding at Newark, county of Hudson, State of New Jersey, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic-Tube Systems, of whichthe following is a specification.

The primary object of my invention is to make ordinary cast or wroughtmetal pipes without boring or other treatment available in theconstruction of pneumatic ducts.

To this end the invention comprises certain improvements in thepneumatically-driven carriers adapted to traverse such ducts.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section throughthe curved part of a duct at the point where a joint oc-' curs therein,showing also a carrier within the duct; Fig. 2, a side elevation, partlyin section, on an enlarged scale, of the carrier; Fig. 3, an end Viewthereof; Fig. 4, a view of the casing that fits within thecarrier-frame; Fig. 5, an end View thereof. Fig. 6 shows on still largerscale a plan or section illustrating the mounting upon the carrier-frameof rollers upon which it runs.

A A are sections of commoncast or wrought metal tubing, and B theordinary packed bellmouthed joint between the two sections. Thecarrier-frame is'composed of a ring 0 at its rear or open end, severalother similar rings 0,

strong cage or frame.

separated by suitable intervals and of somewhat less diameter than thering a, a center plate c at the front or leading end of the carrier ofconsiderably less diameter than the rings 0', and metal straps O, whichradiate from said plate then embrace the outer faces of the ring 0, towhich they are riveted and which at their ends are bent, as shown at 0to embrace the larger ring 0, to which they are riveted. This structureforms a light but At fourpoints equidistant on the circumference of thecage are mounted spring-supported carrying wheels or rollers D. Eachsuch roller is mounted in hearings in the end of a frame E, occupyingthe space between adjacent straps C and having a pivot-shaft e turningin bearings on the straps. A coiled spring 6' is applied around thispivot-shaft with one end bearing against a ring 0 and the other againstthe roller-frame,

the reaction of the spring being in such direction as to tend to throwthe roller up and away from the cage. Four such rollers, mounted asdescribed or in any equivalent way, are arranged adjacent to each end ofthe frame.

Around the ring 0 is applied a flaring pistonor open end it has a flangeg, and at four equi distant points adjacent to each end it hasdepressions g in its circumference to receive the rolls D. The casing ispushed into the frame with the depressions g in line with the respectiverollers. The flange g of the casing is thensecured to the ring o by athumb-screw g passing through the flange and entering a tapped aperturein the edge of the ring. The casing prior to its introduction into thecage may have been filled with packages to be transported and which maybe held in place therein by the straps h, extending across the openmouth of the casing, or the casing may be packed while in positionwithin the frame. The springs applied to the roller-frames tend normallyto throw the rollers outwardly into the positions indicated by thedotted lines in Figs. 2 and 6. When the frame is pushed into thepneumatic duct, the rollers are forced inwardly to the positionsapproximately shown by the full lines in Figs. 1 and 2. The rollersbeing spring-supported accommodate themselves t0 the interior of theduct and conform to any roughness or unevenness therein-,while they areat all times urged outwardly against the interior of the ducts by theirsprings. Furthermore, since the rollers are arranged upon thecircumference of the frame adjacent to its ends, but projecting beyondthe periph-' cry of the casing, the frame or carrier is capable oftraversing around a relatively sharp curve, the radial distance betweenthe periphery of the carrier and a line connecting the outer edges ofparallel rollers being such as to permit the passage of the carrieraround the curve. This is a distinguishing feature of my invention.

It is obvious that the carrier-frame might be differently constructedand that it might be packed with merchandise or packages, the casingshown as removable contained within it being dispensed with. I prefer,however,

to use such casings, as they may be packed at any desired points anddelivered to any station in the system. I also prefer a skeletonconstruction of frame, because sufiicient strength and great lightnessmay be obtained thereby. It is also obvious that the projecting yieldingcarrying-rollers might be mounted in difierent ways without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

I employ at each end of the carrier multiple rollers-2'. (2., three ormore, and preferably at least four-and each roller is springsupportedand projects a substantial distance from the periphery of the carrier.These rollers are capable of running upon any part of the interior wallsof a duct, and therefore the carrier may be entered into the duct in anycircumferential relation thereto. In this respect the apparatus ismaterially distinguished from carriers having rolls or wheels that runon tracks or in grooves specially disposed or formed within the duct. Byplacing the rollers inside the planes of the heads or ends of thecarrier ready access to the interior is obtained and the length of thecarrier as a whole is reduced to a minimum and it is capable of passingaround shorter curves than can a carrier having wheels or rolls mountedin supports projecting longitudinallyfrom its ends. 7

I claim as my invention- 1. A carrier for a pneumatic system providedadjacent its ends with yielding rollers located inside the planes of thefront and rear heads or ends of the carrier and projecting a substantialdistance from the periphery of the carrier for the purpose set forth.

2. A carrier for a pneumatic system pro, vided adjacent each end withmultiple rollers, located inside the planes of the front and rear headsor ends of the carrier and each of which is spring-supported andyielding and adapted to run on any part of the interior walls of theduct, the rollers at each end projecting a substantial distance from theperiphery of the carrier for the purpose set forth.

3. A carrier for a pneumatic system having adjacent its ends rollersmounted in frames pivoted on the carrier and provided with springs fornormally urging the rollers outwardly, the rollers projecting asubstantial distance from the periphery of the carrier for the purposeset forth.

4. A carrier for a pneumatic system comprising a frame, springsupportedrollers mounted thereon adjacent its ends and projecting a substantialdistance beyond its periphery, and a casing or package-holder frameadapted to fit within the carrier-frame.

5. A carrier for a pneumatic system comprising a skeleton casing,yielding rollers mounted adjacent its end and projecting a substantialdistance beyond its periphery for the purpose-set forth, a casing orpackageholder adapted to fit within the carrier-frame and having at itsouter face depressions for the accommodation of the rollers.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JOHN II. DALE.

\Vitnesses:

EDWARD O. DAVIDSON, LLOYD B. WIGHT.

